Backplate storage packs

Digger · July 10th, 2006, 06:42 PM

OK, just a quick couple:

Any of you using the storage packs attatched to your backplate?

How much gear can you get in there? I have a couple of smaller SMBs, shears, tools, and a few other bits that I want to get in there if I can.

Is it uncomfortable? How it is compared to a regular plate? Does it move the setup further away from the back? If so, how far?

How much do these things cost, and can I get one secondhand, does it ever happen?

Will it fit an OMS plate? How far apart are the holes for the Halcyon system and/or others?

And finally, other than the Halcyon one, what other options are there? Anyone used these alternatives?

There we go. Ten questions in one. Have a bash at that. Thanks.

Digs.

***Bob Cooper*** · July 10th, 2006, 06:48 PM

Digger

You will only realistically get an SMB or lift bag in there. It's not really posible to keep shears, tools and other stuff in there (how would you retrieve it?).

I have used one in the past but didn't really get along with it. Mine went on ebay (as have a few others, you can often find them there).

They are not uncomfortable and with just an SMB in there, folded up, you don't notice it's there.

The holes in the storage pack match the holes in the plate. Since the OMS plate has many more holes than a Halcyon plate I reckon you could get it to fit. Fix it with cable ties.

HTH

Bob

Digger · July 10th, 2006, 06:59 PM

OK, so they can't take a lot of stuff, where does it go? In the backplate channel?

I suppose I could use it for my backup blobs and move other things around. But then if it's just to save the space of a couple of bags in my pockets it's probably not worth it is it?

How do you get stuff out of there? I saw Rick with an arrangement of line/bungee I think which he pulled and an SMB came out, but it was a while ago, so if anyone's got any shots of that it would be good.

Has anyone stored gear in the channel of the plate without an MC pack? How was it attatched?

Digs.

*peter_steinhoff* · July 10th, 2006, 07:43 PM

Digger,

I don't personally like them 'cause you can't put back what you pull out so keep that in mind when you think about what you want to stow in there.

You also need access to your wing nuts so think about that when you attach it.

It may sound obvious but make sure you can pull out whatever you have in there. I've seen people not being able to deploy their SMBs because they never tried it.

HTH
Peter

true · July 10th, 2006, 08:05 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Bob Cooper)

Digger

You will only realistically get an SMB or lift bag in there. It's not really posible to keep shears, tools and other stuff in there (how would you retrieve it?).

While I agree that you shouldn't use the backplate pack for anything other than a lift device/signaling marker, I'd be able to testify that you can fold and pack the Halcyon full-sized life raft in the Halcyon pack. Several divers did so on the Britannic '99 expedition in case they got separated from the boat in the miserable conditions they experienced, and I know a bunch of people us do the same for drift dives in Cozumel (where boats have been known to loose track of divers...).

*JGrogan* · July 10th, 2006, 08:26 PM

I've never used it so hold an SMB as I was never convinced that it would be easy to get it out. I have from time to time used it to hold a lift-bag, but I've never needed to remove the lift bag on a dive.

I sometimes use mine, but more to protect my drysuit from wear due to the wing nuts than to hold anything.

It does fit on an OMS plate - one of my plates is an old OMS one!
Best,
John.

Quote: (Originally Posted by Digger)

OK, just a quick couple:

Any of you using the storage packs attatched to your backplate?

How much gear can you get in there? I have a couple of smaller SMBs, shears, tools, and a few other bits that I want to get in there if I can.

Is it uncomfortable? How it is compared to a regular plate? Does it move the setup further away from the back? If so, how far?

How much do these things cost, and can I get one secondhand, does it ever happen?

Will it fit an OMS plate? How far apart are the holes for the Halcyon system and/or others?

And finally, other than the Halcyon one, what other options are there? Anyone used these alternatives?

There we go. Ten questions in one. Have a bash at that. Thanks.

Digs.

*Brian Allen* · July 10th, 2006, 09:08 PM

I love mine, and never have a problem with not being able to deploy any more. The trick is to consertina fold whatever lifting device you're using and not use any retaining straps, clips or buttons, that way when you pull it easily slides out.

I use it for a spare dSMB (good for a yellow). Re comfort as long as you stow the bag so that the valve (if there is one) is pointing towards your tanks and the rest of it acts as a cushion you won't notice it, tho if you get it wrong you definitely do.

HTH

Bri

Digger · July 10th, 2006, 11:04 PM

OK, so I can get a bag in there - does it need to be that big to do that? Just thinking about travel and what might work in the backplate channel, maybe if I got some elastic and got a bit DIY with it I could make something which would do the same job, but be light enough for travel etc?

How heavy is a storage pack? They always seemed quite sturdy, and I assume heavy as a result, or am I way off with this?

I don't have to worry about getting to wingnuts too much. I dive a KISS (yes, I know!) and the thing stays assembled 99% of the time, I just take the 3s off the back to get fills. That said, I wouldn't want to do anything which would permanently attatch things, you never know when you might snap a backplate

I can see some fettling going on before I find a solution to this one. The ideal solution for me would to be able to have one bag in a pocket and my backup mask in the other. Then I'd be able to get through REALLY small holes.

Digs.

Divingniknaks · July 11th, 2006, 09:19 AM

Diggs,

Call in next time you're about and I'll show you mine ! (Ooooer).

Cheers

Joe Hesketh · July 11th, 2006, 06:20 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Bob Cooper)

[...] went on ebay (as have a few others, you can often find them there).

Not mine, but my automated eBay watch emails just threw this up. Good timing...

http://tinyurl.com/njszy

July 10th, 2006, 07:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
peter_steinhoff(Offline) Instructor candidate Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sweden & Florida Posts: 205	Digger, I don't personally like them 'cause you can't put back what you pull out so keep that in mind when you think about what you want to stow in there. You also need access to your wing nuts so think about that when you attach it. It may sound obvious but make sure you can pull out whatever you have in there. I've seen people not being able to deploy their SMBs because they never tried it. HTH Peter __________________ Peter Steinhoff GUE DIR-F, Tech1, Tech2, Cave1, Cave2, Cave3, RB80-1&2, DIR-F/Cave Instructor Candidate. NAUI Tec Instructor (Trimix, Technical DPV, Technical Wreck Penenetration etc) WKPP Support Diver, Halcyon Product Development Team, Gavinscooter Representative. Various IANTD, NSS-CDS, NACD, PADI & NAUI. ---------------------------------------------- http://dir-diver.com http://peter.steinhoff.se (swedish only)

July 10th, 2006, 09:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
Brian Allen(Offline) GUE Instructor Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London & Plymouth Posts: 647	I love mine, and never have a problem with not being able to deploy any more. The trick is to consertina fold whatever lifting device you're using and not use any retaining straps, clips or buttons, that way when you pull it easily slides out. I use it for a spare dSMB (good for a yellow). Re comfort as long as you stow the bag so that the valve (if there is one) is pointing towards your tanks and the rest of it acts as a cushion you won't notice it, tho if you get it wrong you definitely do. HTH Bri __________________ ...dive planning again ... http://www.justgiving.com/Brian-Allen GUE fundamentals and Halcyon Equipment www.aquanauts.co.uk

July 11th, 2006, 09:19 AM	#9 (permalink)
Divingniknaks(Offline) Resident purveyor of shiney kit.... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Midlands UK Posts: 1,040	Diggs, Call in next time you're about and I'll show you mine ! (Ooooer). Cheers __________________ Phill ----------------------------- Salvo Lights, DirZone Gear , Frog Wings Dive ? http://www.divingniknaks.com

July 10th, 2006, 06:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
Digger(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Midlands Posts: 167	OK, just a quick couple: Any of you using the storage packs attatched to your backplate? How much gear can you get in there? I have a couple of smaller SMBs, shears, tools, and a few other bits that I want to get in there if I can. Is it uncomfortable? How it is compared to a regular plate? Does it move the setup further away from the back? If so, how far? How much do these things cost, and can I get one secondhand, does it ever happen? Will it fit an OMS plate? How far apart are the holes for the Halcyon system and/or others? And finally, other than the Halcyon one, what other options are there? Anyone used these alternatives? There we go. Ten questions in one. Have a bash at that. Thanks. Digs.

July 10th, 2006, 06:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
*Bob Cooper*(Offline) Moderator - "Don't stop me now!" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: South East London, UK Posts: 828	Digger You will only realistically get an SMB or lift bag in there. It's not really posible to keep shears, tools and other stuff in there (how would you retrieve it?). I have used one in the past but didn't really get along with it. Mine went on ebay (as have a few others, you can often find them there). They are not uncomfortable and with just an SMB in there, folded up, you don't notice it's there. The holes in the storage pack match the holes in the plate. Since the OMS plate has many more holes than a Halcyon plate I reckon you could get it to fit. Fix it with cable ties. HTH Bob

July 10th, 2006, 06:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
Digger(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Midlands Posts: 167	OK, so they can't take a lot of stuff, where does it go? In the backplate channel? I suppose I could use it for my backup blobs and move other things around. But then if it's just to save the space of a couple of bags in my pockets it's probably not worth it is it? How do you get stuff out of there? I saw Rick with an arrangement of line/bungee I think which he pulled and an SMB came out, but it was a while ago, so if anyone's got any shots of that it would be good. Has anyone stored gear in the channel of the plate without an MC pack? How was it attatched? Digs.

July 10th, 2006, 08:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
true(Offline) GUE Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 143	Quote: (Originally Posted by Bob Cooper) Digger You will only realistically get an SMB or lift bag in there. It's not really posible to keep shears, tools and other stuff in there (how would you retrieve it?). While I agree that you shouldn't use the backplate pack for anything other than a lift device/signaling marker, I'd be able to testify that you can fold and pack the Halcyon full-sized life raft in the Halcyon pack. Several divers did so on the Britannic '99 expedition in case they got separated from the boat in the miserable conditions they experienced, and I know a bunch of people us do the same for drift dives in Cozumel (where boats have been known to loose track of divers...).

July 10th, 2006, 08:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
JGrogan(Offline) GUE Join Date: May 2006 Location: London Posts: 858	I've never used it so hold an SMB as I was never convinced that it would be easy to get it out. I have from time to time used it to hold a lift-bag, but I've never needed to remove the lift bag on a dive. I sometimes use mine, but more to protect my drysuit from wear due to the wing nuts than to hold anything. It does fit on an OMS plate - one of my plates is an old OMS one! Best, John. Quote: (Originally Posted by Digger) OK, just a quick couple: Any of you using the storage packs attatched to your backplate? How much gear can you get in there? I have a couple of smaller SMBs, shears, tools, and a few other bits that I want to get in there if I can. Is it uncomfortable? How it is compared to a regular plate? Does it move the setup further away from the back? If so, how far? How much do these things cost, and can I get one secondhand, does it ever happen? Will it fit an OMS plate? How far apart are the holes for the Halcyon system and/or others? And finally, other than the Halcyon one, what other options are there? Anyone used these alternatives? There we go. Ten questions in one. Have a bash at that. Thanks. Digs.

July 10th, 2006, 11:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
Digger(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Midlands Posts: 167	OK, so I can get a bag in there - does it need to be that big to do that? Just thinking about travel and what might work in the backplate channel, maybe if I got some elastic and got a bit DIY with it I could make something which would do the same job, but be light enough for travel etc? How heavy is a storage pack? They always seemed quite sturdy, and I assume heavy as a result, or am I way off with this? I don't have to worry about getting to wingnuts too much. I dive a KISS (yes, I know!) and the thing stays assembled 99% of the time, I just take the 3s off the back to get fills. That said, I wouldn't want to do anything which would permanently attatch things, you never know when you might snap a backplate I can see some fettling going on before I find a solution to this one. The ideal solution for me would to be able to have one bag in a pocket and my backup mask in the other. Then I'd be able to get through REALLY small holes. Digs.

July 11th, 2006, 06:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
Joe Hesketh(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 705	Quote: (Originally Posted by Bob Cooper) [...] went on ebay (as have a few others, you can often find them there). Not mine, but my automated eBay watch emails just threw this up. Good timing... http://tinyurl.com/njszy